The Modified Hunter's Firelay

    I recently came up with a modification that improves on the Hunter's Firelay. The classic style is basically 2 logs laid parallel to each other over the heart of a fire's ember base. The logs are kept close enough to hold a pan just above the fire.

    The main issue with this setup, is the kindling must be stuffed under the pan to burn, thus stifling the air flow the fire needs to burn efficiently and clean; the fire starved of oxygen struggles and must be maintained frequently as it produces a less than ideal heat.

    My modification starts by slightly angling the parallel logs into a subtle "A" shape. Next, I add a third log at the end of the parallel logs. Last of all, I change the location of the kindling so it's no longer stuffed under the pan, its now on the third log with an additional log laying perpendicular for a heat reflector.

    Its quite easy to accomplish and elevates the fire from the stuffy interior of the parallel logs to the open air, now heat created is reflected into the cooking pan or pot as well as the 3 logs to which it sits; the logs underneath in turn glow red with embers sustaining and magnifying the heat the humble kindling creates. Its a pleasure cooking on this firelay, stews are boiled with hardly any effort in terms of fuel gathering.

   
...A hand full of sticks has never done so much work!

-Mitch
http://nativesurvival.com

Wild Sharpening Stones

    Sharpening stones are necessary kit correct? Indeed they are, so much so because their a vital component to maintaining the most important manufactured tool carried into the wilds; a metal knife. A sharp rust free knife is a proper knife, a proper knife is a functioning knife, a functioning knife in the hands of a skilled person can make miracles commonplace. From carving fire kits, traps, feather sticks, containers, spoons, bows, arrows, spears, butchering, shelter components, to cooking rigs, a knife equals life. Thus a smart plan is to have a backup for your sharpening stone that can be found in the wilds, keeping that ever important tool in top shape no matter the situation.
    Stones found amongst streams, rivers and lakes fit the requirement as a Primitive Mimic for a sharpening stone. Truly all that must be found is a smooth stone with a flat spot. Sharpening in the same way as a handheld stone makes quick work of sharpening a knife's edge, I use small circles along my knife's edge, alternating sides until my edge is ferocious. That's it, done deal.

...If ever your found in the wilds without your sharpening stone, never forget whence sharpening stones originated.

-Mitch
http://nativesurvival.com

Panissed Fish

    Panissing a fish is extremely satisfying, its a bit of old bushcraft thats fallen into disuse over the years. Ive eaten everything from Trout to Salmon with this method, and it never disappoints! The means to cook with this method are easy to obtain, a straight thumb thick stick double the length of the filet is split 3/4's down its length, and 2 sharpened pinky sized sticks, are woven through the top and bottom of the filet, continuing across the back and poke through the filet's face on the opposite side. The last step of prep is sliding the held open long split stick up the filet's middle, following the path of where the spine was.
    At this point the fish resembles a boat's sail. Using roots or other natural cordage, tie the top of the split stick with 2 half hitches or a clove hitch to secure and tighten the panissed fish in place.
    Roasting a fish in this manner is very easy, you simply angle the fish toward your fire and its done cooking when its golden brown. Cooking this way is simple, delicious, and adds absolutely no weight to your pack.

...Life becomes a little more enjoyable when little sticks at your camp, comprise your cooking equipment.

-Mitch Mitchell
http://nativesurvival.com

The Magic Of Spoon Carving

    Ive carved many spoons over the years, and the season, the locale, the type of wood used, even the weather at the time, all play a part in forming the memory carried within it. Some spoons are basic with clean lines, others sleek with refined angles, all depending on my whim at the time and listening to what the wood was telling me to carve. Point being, there's a magic to walking into a forest and keenly choosing your work piece to whittle down into an elegant, yet functioning work of bush art literally employed everyday at meal time to cook your soups and stews, to flip your frying fish filets, to stir your coffee and teas, to mix your bannocks, and of course; savor each spoonful of a meal.
    Creating something so valuable for everyday living with your hands, knife and wits, imparts a feeling of connection for the forest within yourself that's reaffirmed every meal its spoon shares with you.

-Mitch Mitchell
http://nativesurvival.com

The Ultimate Bedroll

    Bedroll. The word means so much more to those of us that spend long periods in the wilds. A bedroll is our bed, our sanctuary, and our place of healing. It is our shelter, within our shelter. My bedroll that I've devised is Fire Proof, Water Proof, and Cold Proof; only resistant truly, as nothing is "proof" not even granite (ask the tides who's winning that one).
    My bedroll consists of three components, a sleeping bag, a waterproof bivy, and a wool bivy. My wool blanket I've specifically designed to be rigged into a bivy while still retaining its ability to be a simple blanket. The sleeping bag and waterproof bivy keep me warm and dry while the wool bivy provides additional warmth and the all important fire resistance to the equation; allowing me to lay near my fire vastly improving my state of sleep, and increasing the temperature range my bedroll can function in.

...A bedroll with these attributes is quite potent, a warm and dry repose goes a long way in the cold and wet seasons of the year, while just the light and comfy blanket provides the means for a restful sleep in the scorching season.

-Mitch Mitchell
http://nativesurvival.com

The Caveman Steak

    The Caveman Steak is one of my all time favorite ways to prepare a good cut of steak. Delmonico's/Rib Eye's, Strip's, Tenderloin's, the usual suspects brought to perfection quite easily with  this incredible cooking technique. Coals are generated by burning some Oak or other hardwood of your choice that thrives in your local bioregion, and while the logs are still black and orange another stick is used to pop the coals free from the logs. In a matter of moments a sizable pile is easily accomplished and spread flat with a stick creating your cooking surface. Its incredible to realize these coals are screaming hot yet with care they wont burn or dirty your dinner.

    Simply lay your steak on the coals for 2-3 mins, then scrape off any coals that adhere to it when flipping it to cook the other side. If your coals need to be rewarmed, just drag some fresh coals from your fire onto them.

    Enjoy the incredibly robust flavor of an ancient cooking technique that has been with us for millennia, coupled with a genuine satisfaction from cooking without any pots or pans.

    

...A truly timeless method.

-Mitch Mitchell
http://nativesurvival.com

The Horseshoe Bedroll Rig

    There have been many ingenious methods devised throughout the years for carrying bedrolls with rucksacks. Today we discuss a method I found in an old camping book from 1950; The Horseshoe Rig. This is an easy way to configure by just laying your rolled up blanket over or under the rucks top flap and tying the rest of the blanket down each side, thus forming the Horseshoe shape. This rig is extremely easy to setup, furthermore it eliminates any swaying or bouncing of your bedroll whilst hiking, which is common on other setups, giving you a more stable carry on your back.

Give it a shot and see if The Horseshoe Rig improves your rucks stability too.

-Mitch Mitchell
http://nativesurvival.com